Broccoli & Bacon Salad

SOUND BITE

The original, decades-old recipe for this popular potluck salad was loaded with sugar—very likely the reason I couldn’t get enough of it as a child. I’ve pared back the sugar to 2 tablespoons, which adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the tang of the vinegar and lemon juice in the dressing. This crowd-pleasing salad is a treat, a splurge—and worth the occasional indulgence!

Regular vs. Light Mayonnaise

This splurge-worthy Broccoli & Bacon Salad just wouldn’t be the same without a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing. But when it comes to choosing regular or light mayo, does it really make a difference?

The answer is YES.

Regular mayo is the real deal—it’s thick and smooth—made with eggs, oil and vinegar. It delivers full flavor and a silky texture. It’s classic and creamy and gives the dressing that rich, luscious consistency that clings perfectly to every morsel of bacon and broccoli.

Light mayo has about half the fat, thanks to added water and some thickeners. It’s still creamy, has pretty good flavor, but it’s a little less decadent.

If you’re looking to shave off a few calories, go with this option. However, let’s be honest, this salad already has bacon and cheese, so I’m not sure trimming fat and calories will be worth the taste trade-off.

What about fat-free mayonnaise? Hmm. Let’s not. It just doesn’t taste right.

If mayo could have an identity crisis, this would be it.

For this Broccoli & Bacon Salad, regular mayonnaise is best, light is okay—but use the fat-free stuff and you’re just messin’ with dressin’!